Donation will help build on remarkable Canadiana treasures
TORONTO (Thursday, May 26, 2011) – A major gift to Toronto Public Library Foundation from philanthropist Johanna Metcalf, the Metcalf Family and the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation will enable Toronto Public Library to establish a new Special Collections Acquisition Fund dedicated to acquiring items to complement and enhance its remarkable Canadiana and Performing Arts Collections. The new Robert F. Reid Special Collections Acquisition Fund – named in honour of the late Mr. Justice Robert F. Reid – is the first, and largest fund of its kind ever established at Toronto Public Library.
“This is truly a transformational gift,” said Heather Rumball, President, Toronto Public Library Foundation. “Through their generosity, the Metcalf Family is ensuring that today’s – and tomorrow’s – students, scholars, historians and life-long learners will have even more opportunities to explore, uncover and re-discover treasures from Canada’s historical and cultural records.”
The $250,000 dedicated pool of funds over the next five years will enable the Library to actively purchase items that will complement, complete and enhance its collections in specific and strategic ways, something that simply has not been possible before with public funds alone.
“When we as a family were looking for an opportunity to celebrate Robert’s life, we saw Toronto Public Library and its extraordinary collections as a truly meaningful way to make a lasting legacy,” said Johanna Metcalf, who was Mr. Reid’s partner.
"We are incredibly honoured that the Metcalf Family has selected Toronto Public Library as the vehicle for celebrating Robert’s life,” said Jane Pyper, City Librarian. “Their gift will make a significant difference in our ability to showcase and preserve items that will enrich the library experience for future generations.”
In addition to their gift to establish the Robert F. Reid Special Collections Acquisition Fund, the Metcalf Family made a $50,000 donation in support of Toronto Public Library Foundation’s re:vitalize – Toronto Reference Library Campaign. The late Mr. Justice Reid will be recognized in association with the Reading Room in the Library’s soon to be established Special Collections Rotunda.
The Toronto Public Library Foundation believes in the social benefits of a strong and healthy public library system. As a registered charity, the Foundation fosters relationships with people of vision to provide Toronto's Library with improved and expanded collections, enhanced programs and services, and revitalized community spaces.
See background on Robert Reid below.
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Media Contact:
Anne Marie Aikins 416-393-7212 aaikins@torontopubliclibrary.ca
Celebrating the Life of Robert Franklin Reid
Robert Franklin Reid was born in 1923 and raised in Stratford, Ontario. He was a pilot in World War II, a Western University graduate in 1945, and was called to the bar in 1949. For over 50 years, Robert established himself as a lawyer of vision and compassion with a keen appreciation for the machinations of the legal process. His book Administrative Law and Practice (published in 1971) was the first national Canadian text on the subject (a copy of the 1976 supplement is available for viewing at the Toronto Reference Library). He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1974 and served on the bench until 1990. Upon returning to private practice, Robert served as legal counsel and as a mediator and arbitrator in Alternative Dispute Resolutions. Robert retired in 2003.
Throughout his life, Robert was an ardent believer in the legal profession. He served in various capacities with many professional legal organizations over the years, working doggedly to impact positive change.
Though Robert passed away in October 2009, his legacy continues. A gift to celebrate his life and legacy made by Johanna, the Metcalf Family and the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation has enabled the creation of the “Robert F. Reid Special Collections Acquisition Fund”. Items purchased through this Fund will be recognized in perpetuity in Robert’s honour.
Robert is pictured below with his partner, Johanna Metcalf.
